Bad Spelling Pays on eBay 525
peebeejay writes "People say that as long as they're understood, spelling is unimportant. These people are unwittingly making others a lot of money online, according to this article in the NY Times (DNA sample and clean boxers required). So, aside from clarity and respect for your reader, there's another good reason to either spell correctly or use a spellchecker: get bidders to find your eBay items and give you their money! Or you can go ahead and see how many people bid on your 'labtop computers,' 'camras,' and 'earings.'"
you mean.... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:you mean.... (Score:2, Funny)
When you have a cold... they are called labtop.
Cool! It works for moderators, too! (Score:2)
"When your healty... they are called laptop..."
Ill be sure to mispell my post so its moderated up!
Re:you mean.... (Score:2, Funny)
Does his labtop have a sloppy disk drive, like my dad's desktop does?
Re:you mean.... (Score:2, Interesting)
My father asked me to buy him a PC, so I ordered him a nice little Dell desktop. The look on his face when I took it over to his house was priceless - it turns out he wanted a laptop! He's always had a laptop from his company, and to him PC == laptop.
I understand that the definition of PC includes both desktop and laptop, but I think most people would assume PC == desktop.
Luckily I managed to sell the desktop on to a friend, and my fath
Old, old trick. (Score:5, Interesting)
It's been known for years, and it hasn't changed much. I don't think this article is going to cause much of a change, even if it's widely read.
Re:Old, old trick. (Score:3, Funny)
Even got a gemstone or two this way.
Yeah, and that great Rolleks watch, too! What a bargain.
I check for this on purpose (Score:5, Funny)
Simon
Re:I check for this on purpose (Score:2)
I am an American, I prefer the Brittish (which I guess that term isn't right if you are from Northern Ireland?) spelling of words and many Brittish words (like "loft") to their American counterparts. When I was in 10th grade, I tried the Brittish spelling for some words in a paper and got marked off
UK is cool. At least if I lived there, I could visit all the other cool places in Europe! (The Brittish are acknowledging this month that they are a part of Europe, right?)
Re:I check for this on purpose (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I check for this on purpose (Score:5, Funny)
Like, "The Europeans have this odd tasting candy" or "The Europeans have some odd TV shows".
At first it threw me for a loop
Re:I check for this on purpose (Score:3, Funny)
They would not say that. We never say "candy", we say "sweets" and we prefer to call "TV shows" "TV programmes".
Also, we wouldn't say "The Europeans"; rather, "the frogs and the krauts".
"The frogs and the krauts have some rather peculiar TV programmes; care for one of their similarly bizarre sweets?"
Re:I check for this on purpose (Score:4, Funny)
(paraphrasing) I'm an American, but I like to write papers in languages other than American English. I'm suprised when this gets me poor grades in English courses that I'm taking in America.
Adding extrae letteres too wourds jusst tou mayik themm moure impressieve oarr coulourfull iss nout ay goud ideea, even if the brits disagree in *their* english. :) Also, note that, thanks to modern transportational advancements, you could visit Europe regardless of where you live - you don't have to already live there!
Re:I check for this on purpose (Score:3, Informative)
most late-period colonial countries are the same (i know they all set their dictionaries to "British English" in South Africa at least)
Re:Is this some kind of troll?? (Score:3, Funny)
1. one of those people who want to declare Essex an Aryan enclave.
2. a schitzophrenic who thought he was King Arthur.
3. Trolling.
Point two reminds me of a time about a year ago when this black guy got on the bus dressed in a blanket and announced to everybody that he was Braveheart, and was engaged in a centuries-long struggle against the English, which none of us would understand, because we were too young.
Reg Free (Score:5, Informative)
Play Staion (Score:2)
Before the categories were as developed as they are now, a college roommate picked up a "Play Staion" for cheap.
With the categories and the "Going Going Gone" auctions these don't stay hidden as easily, but they're still there.
Mother of Perl??? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Mother of Perl??? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Mother of Perl??? (Score:3, Funny)
That said, I'd buy that cat on Ebay if the price was right. She might be able to teach my cats a few things, and I could get them to do all my work for me.
Re:Mother of Perl??? (Score:5, Funny)
That makes her a script kitty?
Isn't this? (Score:2)
Yep (Score:2)
The former is the official US govt. website, the latter is a porn site.
Lower Standards for all! (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Lower Standards for all! (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Lower Standards for all! (Score:3, Insightful)
That problem has had a solution for ages. I don't think I'm good at something? Fine; I just don't do it. DONE
What I find infuriating is those people who would force me to compete even after I've told them to get lost, just so they can have someone to "win" against.
Re:Lower Standards for all! (Score:2)
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:use a search engine spell checker (Score:4, Informative)
Re:use a search engine spell checker (Score:2, Funny)
I know, I know, sorry
Re:use a search engine spell checker (Score:3, Informative)
Jim Griffith, whose official title at eBay is dean of eBay education, teaches 40 to 50 seminars a year around the country. Although eBay points out common misspellings, he said that the most common question he gets is, "When will e-Bay get a spell checker?"
His answer? "You go to a store called a bookstore, and you buy something called a dictionary."
Re:use a search engine spell checker (Score:3, Funny)
Why ? [ebay.com]
Re:use a search engine spell checker (Score:3, Funny)
Re:use a search engine spell checker (Score:3, Funny)
Worked for me (Score:2, Interesting)
There were two or three fiber channel products with british spelling and I think I was the only one that even bid on them.
I just got a great deal (Score:2, Funny)
But seriously, now are we going to have people naming their auctions:
Brand New Laptop Labtop Latpod Palpot PC!
?
Works for personal websites too (Score:5, Funny)
Google has ruined my spelling (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Google has ruined my spelling (Score:5, Funny)
Nu peges vere-a fuoond cunteeening "prgfamminh".
Sooggesshuns:
- Meke-a soore-a ell vurds ere-a spelled currectly. Bork bork bork!
- Try deefffferent keyvurds. Um gesh dee bork, bork!
- Try mure-a generel keyvurds. Um gesh dee bork, bork!
- Try fooer keyvurds. Um gesh dee bork, bork!
no wonder they're losing (Score:5, Funny)
An Extra Hyphen Made me $350 on Ebay (Score:5, Interesting)
hehe (Score:2)
Re:An Extra Hyphen Made me $350 on Ebay (Score:4, Interesting)
Apart from proper spelling, good photos and a reputation for accurate descriptions, another thing that seems to help is to be willing to ship overseas, especially for the retailer exclusive items that overseas bidders couldn't get. It is a bit of a hassle but I think it helps the prices, and usually I sell to domestic bidders anyway.
Re:An Extra Hyphen Made me $350 on Ebay (Score:5, Interesting)
Lingo isn't in the dictionary (Score:2, Insightful)
Athelon, Athlon, Athalon, or equally correct but alternative spellings P3, Pentium 3 Pentium III...etc.
I think I will wait a few weeks and do some bargain shoping.
Comment removed (Score:5, Informative)
I do it on purpose ... form of keyword spamming (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:I do it on purpose ... form of keyword spamming (Score:2)
From the article:
This, my friends... (Score:5, Funny)
Because people are that fucking stupid.
"Plam" pilots are very common, too (Score:4, Interesting)
Watch your Malk (Score:2)
Re:"Plam" pilots are very common, too (Score:5, Interesting)
Bad spelling really turns me away from these things... Even though there's no real connection between spelling and intellect, it is very hard to read poorly crafted prose and respect it if it's badly written. Oh well, not lkie abyndoy's pinayg aotitentn...
DAMMIT!! (Score:2)
Next they'll have a story about putting items in the wrong category...uhh, never mind.
Women wearing labtops (Score:2, Funny)
Automatic NY Times log-in (Score:2)
Warning to /.ers: your going to hav too read the instructions on how too work it good, or it won't. LOL WTF!!!!!!111
We all know... (Score:2)
that spehling is a lossed art ;P
Oh, the irony... (Score:3, Interesting)
This is the first article about eBay where the editors haven't spelt (yes, "spelt" not "spelled") the company name as "Ebay".
Somehow, they alway (well, almost always) manage to correctly spell iMac, iPod and iTunes, but eBay, nVidia and ATi often become "Ebay", "Nvidia" and "ATI". It would be nice to think that this article was the start of a trend but I seriously doubt it.
NVIDIA is written in all caps (Score:2)
Re:Oh, the irony... (Score:2)
just because the logo looks like ATi doesn't mean it's spelled like that, otherwise Disney would be spelled Disnep
Re:Oh, the irony... (Score:2)
Of course you speak for yourself. Who else would you expect to do it if you wouldn't?
I think the phrase you were probably looking for was "I think I speak for everyone when I say...".
Re:Oh, the irony... (Score:4, Funny)
To be perfectly serious, there is a language called American English. Thank Daniel Webster for pushing for a distinct variant in spellings (Two countries separated by a common language and all that). And since this is slashdot, it is very American leaning (see here [slashdot.org] for the editorial opinion). Thus, your pre-emptive strike regarding which came first is really a moot point. You write for your audience. Do you use polysyllabic words when addressing toddlers?
While correct, the word spelt just comes across as pretentious. It isn't wrong, but it sounds funny to the ear and is distracting in conversation. Of course, that's just Dennis Miller's opinion, he could be wrong.
*blink* (Score:5, Funny)
They had to ask experts?
Daniel
Pot to Kettle: You are black (Score:3, Funny)
Yet more irony... (Score:2)
Look before you leap. (Ie, use the preview function.)
Re:Pot to Kettle: You are black (Score:2)
Real Life Example! (Score:2)
Obligatory Simpson's Quote (Score:5, Funny)
Homer: "Look at these low, low prices on famous brand name electronics!"
Bart: "Don't be a sap, Dad. These are just crappy knock-offs."
Homer: "I know a genuine Panaphonics when I see it. And look, there's Magnetbox, and Sorny!"
Illiteracy on the internet (Score:5, Interesting)
It couldn't have been a year later that he retracted that prediction and instead said that the web has proven just how illiterate Americans (and I presume others) are.
Anyway, just thought I'd toss in my little anecdote.
feedback loop (Score:5, Interesting)
Just as importantly, it wasn't reinforced. Kind of like the lady who felt reassured by seeing "chandaleer" on hundreds of web sites, people whose reading consists primarily of web pages, e-mail, and chat (rather than books vetted by proofreaders) are learning to spell incorrectly. It's like the blind leading the blind. I've got nothing against spelling changes in principle; language is going to evolve. But this seems more like a case of language forking, almost geometrically.
Ironically, the internet seems to be taking us back a few centuries, to the days before English spellings were standardized by the likes of Webster and other lexicographers. Which was fine back when all parsing of text was done by humans, who could easily figure out that "Thomas Smith" and "Tomas Smythe" were the same person. But as this article points out, it can be a problem when more literal computers are concerned.
Re:feedback loop (Score:3, Interesting)
"Bid on my items, and I'll bid on your's" kinda thing. The last Power Seller of the Month was caught doing this by people on eBay's discussion boards. eBay had to remove his distinction, but they've yet to suspend him last I checked. One of his IDs has 'Blackmarket' in the word.
It works for domain names (Score:2)
How is this different to domain name 'squatters ' (loost term) using a domain name similar to a more popular website. Or advertising free porn to get email addresses in spam...
This is usually done by somebody in a related field, but not always. [gnu.com]And is usually to the detriment of the more popular website
On eBay, this is used in the same way as putting random phone models after your Nokia phone so that it comes up in a search. Or the stupid people who want to sell you an ebook on how to get an XBOX for 2
another great example (Score:2)
Konqueror to the Rescue! (Score:2)
L@@K! (Score:2)
I am uneasy (Score:3, Insightful)
Then I started to think: what if instead of trying to make a few bucks off of someone's typo, why not email them and tell them about the error? Here on Slashdot there is endless (and justified) ranting about the greed of corporate officers and their PHB minions. But are picking up a dollar off the floor in 7-11 and pocketing it even though you saw who dropped it or pulling these eBay spelling error tricks or laying off 1000 programmers to boost your stock price before cashing in your options not all acts from the same human motivation?
Re:I am uneasy (Score:3, Insightful)
Guitars are a great example: Almost every older 'consumer' acoustic made in the US (by Harmony) that you see on eBay will require a neck reset or brige re-glue, both very expensive repairs.
By inclu
Lay off the NYT (Score:5, Funny)
The registration is free and you don't even need a valid e-mail address. What's with the complaints? The 20 seconds you have to spend *once* to input bogus information is certainly a fair price for the online content of the NYT.
Sheesh. People here would complain if you hung them with a new rope.
Re:Lay off the NYT (Score:3, Interesting)
Use the asterisk (Score:3, Informative)
spell casting (Score:4, Insightful)
At Apple, we developed a "styled text pane" GUI component for a hypermedia documentation browser (not HTML, in 1993) as part of the corporate switch to a C++ toolkit. We threw hooks for spellcheck and themes (a la CSS) into the class, and argued that the component ought to be part of the toolkit itself, for *every* text display in the OS, which would mean every app, entirely standard. I heard that the design was part of Apple's plans right through the demise of the Bento initiative, which drowned our approach like a rat on the Titanic. So now every app reinvents the wheel, and it takes forever to crawl back to steel-belted radials.
Survival of the mentally fittest? (Score:4, Insightful)
I think this story beats mine, though.
The phrase that starts "a fool an his money..." also seems to apply.
(Oh, and I spell checked this because I'm smart enough to know I'm stupid.)
bad spelling = good deals (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:This article is ridiculous (Score:5, Informative)
Search for "labtop" on ebay [ebay.com] :)
Re:This article is ridiculous (Score:3, Informative)
Obligatory nerd tie-in: That's why Mozilla kicks IE's little tin arse. Quicklink "dict knive" --> no entry for knive. [reference.com]
Re:This article is ridiculous (Score:5, Funny)
Choice quotes
"I am not lying when I say that this labtop is hands down one of the fastest computers I have ever seen in my entire life. On the other hand, I am also completely clueless when it comes to computers so please bare with me."
Oo-er - are we getting our clothes off together? (It's "BEAR with me")
"keyboard has more buttons than I know what to do with"
"a floppy drive, a CD rom drive, and another drive that I have no clue what to do with"
"And...a rechargable battery"
"some disk that I suppose you'll probably need"
and to top it off "Chances are that you'll probably want to run this computer by a shop and get it cleaned out"
Then he says "if you have any questions email me." Yeah, like he's really going to have a clue amout MHz, GB, serial ports etc. I wouldn't recommend asking anything more difficult than: "What colour is it?"
He also can't spell "I nicked it" - he says "this is not my computer (I'm selling it for a friend)"
Re:This article is ridiculous (Score:2)
Wouldn't come up. No, I didn't search around, instead trusting the above address implicitly. But still ..... have we managed to slashdot eBay?
Re:This article is ridiculous (Score:5, Interesting)
That having been said, I wound up with a MITS Altair [ebay.com] for $100 because it was listed as "Vintage Altar Comp", and a "sonydcv1 [sonystyle.com]" for about $300.
My point being that as geeks, we should encourage all non-geeks we know who have an interest in selling items on eBay to forgo spellchecks and not worry about spelling in general. We stand to profit from it! Any attempt to educate the general populace (as this NYT article attempts to do) will reduce the number of magic bargains to be found on eBay ;)
Re:This article is ridiculous (Score:5, Insightful)
This 'feature' isn't going to go away because the NYT has mentioned it. The problem comes from clueless people, who will still be clueless now! I doubt people deliberately mis-spell items on eBay and now are thinking "perhaps I should spell things correctly from now on"
P.S. Remember to take full advantage, if you find cluelessness on eBay, "View Seller's Other Items" might be your key to many more bargains!
Re:This article is ridiculous (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:This article is ridiculous (Score:2)
Re:Shhh! (Score:2)
By the way, note the following quote from the article:
Indeed, experts say the Internet -- with its discussion boards, blogs and self-published articles -- is a treasure trove of bad spelling.
Boy, do we know that here!
Re:Shhh! (Score:3, Funny)
No need for the shhh!, methinks -- the NYT article describes exactly the same thing
Yeah, but no-one reads the article, it was still a secret...
Re:Shhh! (Score:2)
Why is that interesting? I know lots of people who do lots of things. Does that mean that this post is worth +5?
Perhaps people should read the article and *then* post. Radical I know.
Re:It works the other way, too (Score:2, Informative)
Re:It works the other way, too (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:It works the other way, too (Score:2)
Re:It works the other way, too (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Speiling DOESN'T matter (Score:2)
Re:But what about the searchers? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:earings! (Score:4, Funny)